Motor-vehicle.



No. 841,239. PATENTED JAN. 15, 1907. E. R. FOUTS.

MOTOR VEHICLE.

APPLIOAT/ION FILED APR.28.1906.

2 SHEETS-:SHBBT l.

3] run wloz No. 841,239. PATENTED JAN. 15, 1907. E. R. FOUTS. MOTOR VEHICLE.

APPLIOATION FILED APR. 28. 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIoE.

EDWARD R. F OUTS, OF GREENVILLE, OHIO. I

' MOTOR-VEHICLE.

Specification cf Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 15, 1907.

Application filed April 28,1966. Serial No. 314,255.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD R. FoUTs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Greenville, in the county of Darke and State ofOhio, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in Motor-Vehicles; and I do dec are the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, referencabeing had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in motor-vehicles of a type especially designed for children and possesses the novel features hereinafter descrlbed and claimed. I

The object of the. invention is to provide a motor-vehicle of the above type in which a maximum amount of power is stored in what may be termed a power-wheel and is transmitted from said power-wheel directly to the axle of the carrying-wheels at a polnt approximately in the middle of said ax e.

In order to obtain a direct line of powertransmittal from the crank-shaftto the axle of the carrying-wheels, the ower-storage Wheel is mounted approximate y in line with the wheel on the crank-shaft, and the power is transmitted from the axle of the powerstora e wheel at a point adjacentto the axis of sai wheel tothe axle of the carrying wheels of the vehicle at a point, as before stated, approximately in the center of the last-named axle. i

Preceding a detailed description of the invention reference is made to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 is a perspective view ofthe vehicle. Fig. 2 is abottom plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is f a sectional view on the line a :n of Fig. 2.

- In a detail description of the invention, similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts.

The wagon-body A is of suitable construction, li'aving in mind a requisite lightness and durability, and the floor thereof is provided with suitable openings, as shown in Fig. 2, for the limbs of the occupant to project through to propel the vehicle; The axles F F of the rear and front wheels C B are 'cupant of the vehicle.

ings in a hanger P, which "is attachedto the floor of the wagon between the side openings before referred to.

shaft M thereof has pedal-cranks K fixed thereto and lying below the openings in the bottom of the vehicle, so that power is imparted to said wheel J from the legs of the oc- Rearward of this chainwheel J and approximately in line therewith is mounted a power-storage wheel This chain-Wheel J is approximately nine inches in diameter, and the G of approximately thirteen inches in diameter, the position of said wheel beingbelow the seat of the vehicle, where the greatest weight is placed.- This power-Wheel is mounted upon a short shaft M, which is supported in bearings G, attached to the floor of the vehicle. Upon. said shaft there are two chain-wheels R and S, both of which are placed closely to the side of the storagewheel G, and the latter of whichto wit, S is in alinement with the wheel J on the crankshaft. The said wheel S is connected to the wheel J by a chain 1, and through such con nection power is transmitted to and stored within 't e power-wheel G when the pedal cranks K are operated. The power stored in the wheel G istrans'mitted to the axle of the rear carrying-wheels through a chain 1, which surrounds said wheel R on the shaft of the power-wheel, and also a'chain-wheel H,

which is fixed to a clutch member N on the shaft of said carrying-wheels. The wheel H, through which the power is transmitted tothe carrying-wheels, is approximately in line with thewheel J on the crank-shaft and is also approximately in line with the powerwheel, so that the line of power-transmittal is direct from the crank-shaft through the ower-wheel' to the axle of the carryingwheels. The diameter of the wheel H on the axle of the carrying-wheels is approximately three and one-half inches. The clutch N is shifted in and out of gear by means of a shifting-lever L of an angular form and which is connected with an operating-lever L, extending forwardly within the reach of 'vehicle a very considerable distance after the operation of storing said power ceases and that there is no lost power, .owing to the connections between the wheels being approximately in a direct line. In the operation of the vehicle the clutch N is normally out of gear, and the power is transmitted to the power-wheel G to the desired extent by driving the.pedal-cranks, the vehicle remaining stationary during this period. After a suili: cient stora e of power hasbeen obtained the clutch is t irown in gear and the vehicle is started from the momentum of'the powerwheel.

In a vehicle of the type specified, the combination with the vehicle running-gear, of a power-storage wheel mounted upon a short shaft below the vehicle seat, a primary power-wheel transmitting motion to said power-wheel, said primary power-Wheel bemg on the crank-shaft and having a connection with the shaft of the power-wheel by means of an intermediate transmission-wheel on said power-wheel shaft and adjacent to a side of the power-wheel, a second intermediate transmission-wheel on the shaft of the' wheel on the crank-shaft, and thewheel on the shaft of the carrying-wheels, and the line of power-transmittal from, said primary.

wheel being direct from the pedal or crank shaft to the shaft of the carrying-wheels, as

herein shown and described.

In testlmonywhereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

, EDWARD R. FOUIS. Witnesses GEO. W. MANNIX, Jr, A. L. BAUGHMAN. 

